Greek word · G4889

σύνδουλος

syndoulos

fellow slave

Fellow slave: someone who belongs to the same master as another slave. In Jewish and Christian usage the "slave of God" is an honoured title for those wholly at God's disposal (Moses, the prophets, apostles).

Appears 10 times in 10 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

σύν-δουλος, -ου, ὁ

[in LXX: Esther 4:7, 9 4:17, 23 5:3, 6 6:6, 13 (כְּנָת) * ;]

a fellow-servant: Matthew 18:28-33 24:49; of servants of the same divine Lord, Colossians 1:7 4:7, Revelation 6:11; so of angels, Revelation 19:10 22:9.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 19:10

Range of meaning

Fellow slave: someone who belongs to the same master as another slave. In Jewish and Christian usage the "slave of God" is an honoured title for those wholly at God's disposal (Moses, the prophets, apostles).

Against the English

"Fellow servant" (KJV, BSB) suggests a hired employee or a polite helper. "Fellow bondservant" (WEB) is closer. The Greek implies belonging to someone, not working for a wage.

How it drifted

English Bibles long softened doulos to "servant" to avoid the associations of chattel slavery. For this verse the result is that the angel's lowering of himself sounds milder than it is.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matt 18:28-33 and 24:49 use it for slaves of the same household. Col 1:7 and 4:7 use it of Paul's coworkers. In Revelation, God's "slaves the prophets" (10:7; 11:18) and "his slaves" (1:1; 22:6) form the group the angel joins. Rev 6:11 uses the same word for martyrs.

From the study of Matthew 18:33

Range of meaning

"Fellow slave": a slave of the same master. Christians later used it for fellow servants of God or of Christ (Col 1:7; Rev 6:11; 19:10). In royal settings the king's "slaves" could include powerful officials and stewards, people of real wealth and authority who were still legally and personally bound to the king.

Against the English

"Fellow servant" (BSB, KJV, WEB, NIV, ESV) suggests a co-worker or hired staff. "Fellow slave" (NASB 2020) is more literal. Neither shows that the man may have been a high-ranking court official.

How it drifted

Since the 1500s, English Bibles have often softened δοῦλος to "servant." In modern English, "servant" suggests paid domestic work that one can leave.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matthew uses the word five times in this parable (18:28, 29, 31, 33) and again in 24:49. In Hellenistic and Persian kingdoms, satraps (provincial governors) and finance officials could be called the king's "slaves." This explains how one slave could run up a debt of 10,000 talents.

From the study of Revelation 6:11

Range of meaning

A fellow slave: someone owned by or bound to serve the same master. In royal settings, the "slaves" of a king could be high officials, so "slave of the king" or "slave of God" could be a title of honor as well as of subjection.

Against the English

"Fellow servants" is standard in English. "Servant" today suggests paid, voluntary work. The Greek means people who wholly belong to one Master.

How it drifted

English Bibles since the KJV have generally used "servant" for δοῦλος. This softens the language of ownership.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matthew 18:28–33 and 24:49 (fellow slaves in the master's household); Colossians 1:7; 4:7. Revelation 19:10 and 22:9: the angel refuses worship, saying "I am a fellow slave of yours and of your brothers." The Old Testament phrase "my servants the prophets" (Amos 3:7) is echoed in Rev 10:7 and 11:18.

Where it appears

Matthew · 5

  1. Matthew 18:28 συνδούλων fellow servants

    But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’

  2. Matthew 18:29 σύνδουλος fellow servant

    So his fellow servant fell down and begged him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you back.’

    Here: A slave of the same master. The word is a reminder that the creditor and the debtor have the same standing under the same king. One is not the other's lord.

  3. Matthew 18:31 σύνδουλοι fellow servants

    When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and recounted all of this to their master.

    Here: The other slaves of the same king. They stand on the same level as both the creditor and the debtor. The word picks up verses 28–29, where the debtor is also called a 'fellow slave'. Their reaction is the reaction of peers.

  4. Matthew 18:33 σύνδουλόν fellow servant

    Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’

    Here: Someone who belongs to the same master. The word stresses that the two men stand on the same level: both are the king's slaves, and both are answerable to him.

  5. Matthew 24:49 συνδούλους fellow servants

    And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

Colossians · 2

  1. Colossians 1:7 συνδούλου fellow bond-servant

    You learned it from Epaphras, our beloved fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf,

    Here: 'Fellow slave': someone owned by the same master. Paul calls himself a slave of Christ, so this puts Epaphras on the same footing as Paul before one Lord.

  2. Colossians 4:7 σύνδουλος fellow bond-servant

    Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a beloved brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord.

    Here: 'Slave alongside' Paul, owned by the same Master. Paul puts himself on the same level as Tychicus, and the word is pointed coming so soon after his instructions to slaves and masters (3:22–4:1).

Revelation · 3

  1. Revelation 6:11 σύνδουλοι fellow servants

    Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

    Here: Those who belong to the same Master. In Revelation "slaves of God" is an honored title for God's people and prophets (1:1; 10:7). Even the angel calls himself a "fellow slave" (19:10; 22:9).

  2. Revelation 19:10 σύνδουλός A fellow servant

    So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

    Here: The angel puts himself on John's level: both are slaves of the same Master. This is the reason worship of him is wrong.

  3. Revelation 22:9 σύνδουλός Fellow servant

    But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”

    Here: 'Fellow slave' of the same master. It comes first in the sentence for emphasis. The angel puts himself beside John under God, not above him.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.